Sudan slams Germany-hosted conference as ‘colonial tutelage approach’

Sudan on Wednesday denounced the holding of a conference in Germany without consulting with Khartoum as a “colonial tutelage approach” through which Western countries seek to impose their agenda.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said holding the conference without consulting or coordinating with Sudan or inviting Khartoum reflects “disregard for the visions presented by the Sudanese state and its official institutions.”

The conference is set to open in Berlin on Wednesday with the participation of Sudanese political and civilian groups. It aims to raise funds for those affected by war in Sudan and discuss ways to end the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The move “reflects a colonial tutelage approach still practiced by some Western countries,” the ministry said, accusing them of attempting to impose their agenda and vision on “free states and peoples.”

Sudan “will not accept that countries and regional and international organizations convene to decide on its affairs and bypass the Sudanese government under the pretext of neutrality,” the ministry said, describing such justification as “worthless” and “a dangerous precedent in international relations.”

It warned that “equating the government and its national army with a criminal, multinational terrorist militia” would undermine “the foundations of regional and international security.”

The ministry also criticized the conference’s characterization of the war as “incorrect and biased,” saying it “does not produce peace but leads to further polarization,” and objected to granting representation of Sudan to “limited and small groups.”

Khartoum stressed that it “is keen to end the war” and remains open to “serious and fair peace initiatives” that involve consultation and coordination with the government and “respect Sudan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Sudan has been gripped by conflict since April 2023 between the army and the RSF over disagreements over integration into the military, a war that has killed tens of thousands, displaced around 13 million people and pushed parts of the country toward famine, in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.